An MP has praised Tangatanga "for realising" they cannot achieve much in the Kibra by-election without the input of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I want to congratulate the Tangatanga wing of Jubilee for pulling this off. As you sell your candidate in Kibra, we hope you now agree that Jubilee cannot sell…anywhere… without Uhuru Kenyatta’s blessings,” Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu wrote on his Facebook page.
The MP’s comments came after the President on Wednesday assured Mcdonald Mariga of his support for the Kibra by-election to be held on November 7.
Wambugu said the Tangatanga team appeared delighted that the President accepted to ‘unveil’ Mariga for Kibra.
“It feels like a big win for them - and it's brilliant public relations. They are also using it to push back against those who have been arguing that Tangatanga must respect the President,” he said.
Wambugu said Tangatanga on Wednesday portrayed to Kenyans that they know that they cannot exist without Uhuru despite their "bluffs and threats".
“Now we know that they know that Uhuru is fully in charge – both in the party and as President. We expect them to sustain this respect for Uhuru at all times,” Wambugu said.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega said they would visit Kibra to campaign for Mariga.
Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami praised the President’s move and vowed to teach ODM and the Kieleweke wing a lesson.
Earlier, the Kieleweke wing of Jubilee had vowed to campaign for ODM candidate in the by-election.
But the team will now need to rethink their decision after the President endorsed Mariga.
